Best Surface Go Keyboard Alternatives to Microsoft's Type Cover in 2022

Best External Monitors for Surface Go
Best External Monitors for Surface Go

The Chesona Surface Go keyboard and case is your best bet for an alternative to Microsoft's Type Cover thanks to an affordable price and a thin build.

Chesona keyboard and case

Folio case with a built-in Bluetooth keyboard

Who should buy this Type Cover keyboard alternative

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If you don't want to spend upwards of $130 on a genuine Surface Go Type Cover from Microsoft, Chesona's case and keyboard alternative can be had for about $40. It likely won't match up to the same quality as the Type Cover (and it won't connect to the Go the same way), but alternatives are currently hard to find.

Is it a good time to buy this keyboard alternative?

You might be tempted to wait and see if a standalone Type Cover alternative is ever released — there are some quality options for the Surface Pro that took a while to hit the market — but if you need an affordable keyboard that attaches to your Go right now, this is your best bet.

Add protection and a keyboard at once to your Surface Go

True Type Cover alternatives for the Surface Go — ones that connect to the bottom of the tablet and fold up like a cover — are currently hard to come by, but Chesona makes a case and keyboard combo that essentially fills the role at a much cheaper price. For about $40, you add a Bluetooth keyboard that's about the same size as a Type Cover, as well as a folio-style case.

Add a Bluetooth keyboard to your Go and get a slim and light synthetic leather case to boot.

The case has cutouts for side buttons and cameras on the back, and though it doesn't let you use the Go's built-in kickstand, it has its own stand that props the tablet up for typing. The case is thin, light, and made primarily from synthetic leather, with a microfiber coating on the inside to prevent scratches.

A rechargeable battery powers the Bluetooth keyboard — a charging cable is included — and you can expect a long battery life due to the keys not being backlit. A 30-day money-back guarantee essentially lets you test it out, and a one-year warranty gives you some peace of mind.

Alternatives to the Chesona Surface Go keyboard and case

If you'd rather not sacrifice the Go's built-in kickstand and don't really need a case to go along with the keyboard, you can always grab a compact, standalone Bluetooth keyboard to use with your Go.

Logitech K380

Compact Bluetooth keyboard

Reasons to buy

+
More affordable than a true Type Cover
+
Built into a folio case for extra protection
+
One-year warranty
+
Connects with Bluetooth
+
Uses a rechargeable battery

Reasons to avoid

-
Might not want an entire case with the keyboard
-
No backlight

With the K380, you get about two years of battery life from a charge, and it has a range of about 32 feet thanks to Bluetooth connectivity. The circular keys are comfortable to type on, Logitech's Flow tech allows you to seamlessly switch between three connected devices, and it's small enough (about 10 inches by 5 inches) that it can ride along with you in most bags.

Bottom line

If you need a keyboard alternative for your Surface Go, Chesona's keyboard and case is affordable and will certainly get the job done despite not being a true Type Cover. The case is made from synthetic leather and doesn't add much bulk to the tablet, the keyboard connects with Bluetooth, and a rechargeable battery inside lasts for days on end.

Cale Hunt
Contributor

Cale Hunt brings to Windows Central more than eight years of experience writing about laptops, PCs, accessories, games, and beyond. If it runs Windows or in some way complements the hardware, there’s a good chance he knows about it, has written about it, or is already busy testing it. 

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